From WVNS ORIGINAL STORY One person was killed in a McDowell County accident Wednesday morning. Sheriff's Deputy J.R. England said James Bailey, 35, of Bradshaw, was driving a McDowell County Emergency ambulance north on Route 80 when he ran off the road. The accident occurred just before 3 a.m. in Avondale. After rolling 51-feet over the hill, England said the ambulance finally came to a rest on the driver's side. Bailey, who was trapped inside the vehicle, died on scene. According to England, four people were involved in the accident, including Bailey, a 12-year-old patient, her mother and an EMT. The patient's mother was injured and air-lifted to Charleston Area Medical Center. England said the EMT is also being treated for injuries at Welch Community Hospital. Iaeger and Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Departments responded. AVONDALE -- UPDATE 8:24 p.m.   James Bailey was driving an ambulance like any other day early Wednesday morning, but this day wouldn’t end like any other. Instead, Bailey hit the guardrail on Route 83 near Avondale. Around 3 a.m. Bailey, and his ambulance, rolled more than 20 feet down an embankment and stopped in front of a home with Bailey pinned beneath it. Witnesses to the accident say Bailey was still alive, but died later on scene. Co-workers from the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department were among the first one scene. They say it was a gruesome scene, but that Bailey died doing what he loved to do. “It’s a shock, it’s hard to believe he’s gone,” said Kimberly Proffitt. Proffitt knows how important helping others was to Bailey. She was his cousin, his friend, and his co-worker. The two were supposed to work together this evening, a shift that never came to fruition. “I lost what feels like my brother, my co-worker, and my friend all at once.” Al Carrolla, the President of Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department (where Bailey volunteered), says men like Bailey are one in a million. “He just like what he was doing, he was a really good person, a real loss,” said Carrolla. Those closest to him say he lived his life for those around him, most importantly his son and daughter. “It’s all he talked about, he was going to see them this weekend,” said Proffitt. Family members are shocked by the sudden news, and co-workers are exhausted. On there way to a de-briefing meeting to cope with their loss another fatal accident occurred just a few miles up the road from where Bailey died. “It’s harder when it’s family. You deal with it everyday but it’s 10 times harder when it’s family.”...

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Thanks to FirefighterSpot.com for this video!...

And once again we have to remind firefighters SMOKE KILLS!...

A Kentucky Wildland Firefighter has been seriously injured with burns and blunt force trauma yesterday morning while working a 12-acre wildfire in Livingston County.  Don Lam, Forest Ranger Technician for the Kentucky Division of Forestry is currently in serious condition at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville after being airlifted following the accident. Initial investigations report that Ranger Lam was struck by a rolling log, a burning snag approximately 10 ft in length that broke loose and rolled off a bluff. The impact has left Ranger Lam unconscious and with serious injuries including second degree burns. We'll post updates as they become available on our home page.  ...

On September 5th at 1000hrs. the B shift Lieutenant and a senior firefighter were returning to the station from a special detail. The two personnel stated that they smelled a foul odor to the likes of rotten eggs. Moments later the Senior firefighter became disoriented and finally losing consciousness. The Lieutenant was able to return the vehicle to the station as they were less than a block away. As they pulled into the station the rest of the on-duty personnel witnessed them pulling in and acting irrationally and the Lieutenant collapsed to the ground and began gasping for air. As the personnel rushed to aid the down firefighters they heard a hissing sound coming from the interior of the vehicle. The two down firefighters were transported to a level 1 trauma center with respiratory distress. Upon inspection of the vehicle, it was found that a 12v lead battery that had been installed in the rear compartment of the vehicle to charge all of the ancillary equipment, had overcharged and became overheated and vented hydrogen sulfide into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The benefit to both of these firefighters was the fact that it was a beautiful summer day and they had their windows down. The ITX meter in the rear of the truck was on when this event happened and it is recorded that the passenger compartment received hydrogen sulfide over the amounts of 50ppm within seconds.   LESSONS LEARNED: There should not be a battery installed in the passenger compartment of any vehicle without proper ventilation. If the amount of electronics in the vehicle is draining the battery to a point that another battery needs to be installed, then the amount of equipment being stored in the vehicle needs to be evaluated or the layout of the vehicle needs to be considered....

Remember members on the edge should be properly outfit with harnesses and secured so they don't become part of the problem!...

  Hey, A Kentucky Wildland Firefighter has been seriously injured with burns and blunt force trauma yesterday morning while working a 12-acre wildfire in Livingston County.  Don Lam, Forest Ranger Technician for the Kentucky Division of Forestry is currently in serious condition at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville after being airlifted following the accident. Initial investigations report that Ranger Lam was struck by a rolling log, a burning snag approximately 10 ft in length that broke loose and rolled off a bluff. The impact has left Ranger Lam unconscious and with serious injuries including second degree burns. We'll post updates as they become available on our home page.   FIREFIGHTERS CLOSE CALL: MASS. FF's STUNG WHILE RESCUING A CIVILIAN (SOP Below) Attleboro Firefighters responded yesterday to a run reporting a woman stung. Turns out, she was stung more than 500 times after she reportedly stepped on a nest. FF David Capraro  was one of the first to arrive to the report of a woman suffering from bee stings Monday night. The dispatchers updated responding FF's that the victim was still out and the bees were still all over her. The 53-year-old woman had been stung about 500 times. The yellow jackets were so relentless that they followed her in the ambulance and even into the emergency room at nearby Sturdy Memorial Hospital. 3 Firefighters also treated and released after enduring about a half dozen bites themselves. HERE are SAMPLE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH BEES/SWARMS: http://phoenix.gov/FIRE/20614.pdf http://www.matthewpalmer.org/wfd/Bee-Swarm.pdf   One noted expert said nests grow from the size of a thumbnail in April to the size of a baseball in July to the size of a basketball this time of year, often with as many 10,000 inside. The nests grow until frost kills most of them. And yellow jackets don’t need to be provoked to sting. They can be attracted to someone just by their smell, or if the person happens to enter their flight path. Wasps are attracted by food, trash, lights, pet excrement, dried leaves, overgrown shrubbery, or grease built up on a grill. Take Care-BE CAREFUL. BillyG The Secret List 9-8-10 / 2144 Hours www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com ...

Attleboro Firefighters responded yesterday to a run reporting a woman stung. Turns out, she was stung more than 500 times after she reportedly stepped on a nest. FF David Capraro  was one of the first to arrive to the report of a woman suffering from bee stings Monday night. The dispatchers updated responding FF's that the victim was still out and the bees were still all over her. The 53-year-old woman had been stung about 500 times. The yellow jackets were so relentless that they followed her in the ambulance and even into the emergency room at nearby Sturdy Memorial Hospital. 3 Firefighters also treated and released after enduring about a half dozen bites themselves. HERE are SAMPLE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH BEES: http://phoenix.gov/FIRE/20614.pdf http://www.matthewpalmer.org/wfd/Bee-Swarm.pdf   One noted expert said nests grow from the size of a thumbnail in April to the size of a baseball in July to the size of a basketball this time of year, often with as many 10,000 inside. The nests grow until frost kills most of them. And yellow jackets don’t need to be provoked to sting. They can be attracted to someone just by their smell, or if the person happens to enter their flight path.Wasps are attracted by food, trash, lights, pet excrement, dried leaves, overgrown shrubbery, or grease built up on a grill....

>McDowell County Emergency Ambulance Authority> PO Box AG> Welch, WV 24801>> Phone: 304-436-3877 Fax: 304-436-6557>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE> ####>> Press Release>> Welch, WV � A McDowell County Emergency Ambulance Authority ambulance was >involved in a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident approximat ely> 3:00 AM this morning, (September 8, 2010) on Route 80 in Avondale> WV. The ambulance (designated as Unit 802) was transporting a patient> from their residence in English, WV to Welch Community Hospital.>> The Emergency Vehicle Operator, James Bailey, who was driving the > ambulance was fatally injured. The EMS attendant, EMT Kevin > Brooks, was also injured in the accident and is being evaluated at a > local hospital - his injuries do not appear life-threatening. The  > patient family member also sustained minor injuries in the accident. > A family member accompanying the patient was also injured and was > transported by AirEvac Lifeteam to a Charleston-area hospital.>> Mr. Bailey, 36, of Bradshaw WV had been employed by McDowell County > authority since November 2009 and he is survived by two children.>> The accident is being investigated by the McDowell County Sheriff > Department.>> Mr. Bailey's funeral arrangements are incomplete.>> Additional information will be forthcoming.>> ####> For more information contact:>> Cliff Moore, McDowell County Commission, County Manager>> 304-436-8569...

The ambulance rolled more than 50 feet down a hill, killing the driver and injuring three passengers.

Since last Wednesday, Stockton FD paramedics have been limited to performing BLS techniques.

Since last Wednesday, Stockton FD paramedics have been limited to performing BLS techniques.

The critically injured teenager that Arthur Kersey helped remove Sept. 1 from the mangled wreckage of a head-on collision was his own son, Dylan.

The critically injured teenager that Arthur Kersey helped remove Sept. 1 from the mangled wreckage of a head-on collision was his own son, Dylan.

Emergency crews had to cut into the metal of an overturned military truck on Interstate 84 to remove the driver Tuesday afternoon.

A Madison (South Dakota) Volunteer Firefighter is accused of driving a city fire truck under the influence. 42-year-old Scott Johnson responded to a fire call this weekend and was arrested for DUI after leaving the scene. It all started when the Madison VFD was alerted early Saturday to a local business for a fire alarm going off, and a police officer was also dispatched. When that officer got to the scene, he noticed Johnson was there as well. Reports are that the officer and Johnson had "crossed paths" earlier in the night and the officer thought there was a chance FF Johnson was under the influence. So when the fire call was over the officer followed Johnson back to the firehouse where the officer confronted Johnson, gave him a breathalyzer test and arrested him for DUI. Johnson was driving a city fire apparatus at the time of the arrest. He has been suspended by the Chief....

WEST VIRGINIA EMT KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY - AMBULANCE CRASH The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com   We regret to advise you that this morning, a McDowell County Emergency Ambulance Authority (W. VA) ambulance was involved in a single vehicle motor vehicle crash at approximately 0300 hours, (September 8, 2010) on Route 80 in Avondale, WV.  The ambulance (designated as Unit 802) was transporting a patient from their residence in English, WV to Welch Community Hospital. The Emergency Vehicle Operator, James Bailey, who was driving the ambulance was killed in the Line of Duty.   The EMS attendant, EMT Kevin Brooks, was also injured but his injuries do not appear life-threatening.  The patient family member also sustained minor injuries in the accident.  A family member accompanying the patient was also injured and was transported by AirEvac Lifeteam to a Charleston-area hospital. EMT Bailey, 36, of Bradshaw WV, had been with McDowell County EMS since November 2009 and he is survived by 2 children. As always, our most sincere condolences. Take Care-BE CAREFUL. BillyG The Secret List 9-8-10 / 1242 Hours www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com ...

We regret to advise you that this morning, a McDowell County Emergency Ambulance Authority (W. VA) ambulance was involved in a single vehicle motor vehicle crash at approximately 0300 hours, (September 8, 2010) on Route 80 in Avondale, WV. The ambulance (designated as Unit 802) was transporting a patient from their residence in English, WV to Welch Community Hospital.The Emergency Vehicle Operator, James Bailey, who was driving the ambulance was killed in the Line of Duty. The EMS attendant, EMT Kevin Brooks, was also injured but his injuries do not appear life-threatening. The patient family member also sustained minor injuries in the accident. A family member accompanying the patient was also injured and was transported by AirEvac Lifeteam to a Charleston-area hospital. EMT Bailey, 36, of Bradshaw WV, had been with McDowell County EMS since November 2009 and he is survived by 2 children....

A 26-year-old Bowie (Prince George's County, MD) Volunteer Firefighter remains hospitalized after sustaining burn injuries while operating at a house fire on Saturday. Prince George's Firefighters from Largo, Bowie and surrounding communities responded to the fire on Saturday, September 4, 2010, just before 1930 hours. Fire/EMS units arrived at the 2-story single family home on Whistling Duck Way in Upper Marlboro to find heavy fire consuming the rear of the structure with extension up to and through the roof.Firefighters entered the structure and advanced hoselines to conduct a search and extinguish the fire. As a team of firefighters were advancing a hoseline up the stairs to attack the fire on the second floor the helmet of Fire Fighter Patrick Ivey was dislodged and knocked off (see details below). As he worked to put his helmet back in place debris fell from the ceiling striking him in the head. Fire Fighter Ivey replaced his helmet on his head and continued up the stairs with a hoseline. After several minutes of an interior attack and confirmation there were no occupants inside the home the fire continued to grown in intensity despite efforts of firefighters. Incident Commander ordered all firefighters to evacuate the structure and fight the fire from the safety of the exterior.Once outside, Fire Fighter Ivey removed his protective gear and was treated for burns on his head. In the short period of time that his helmet was knocked off, hot embers, or more then likely, some molten aluminum or metal came in contact with his head. The burning debris was so hot that Ivey sustained 3rd degree burns through the protective Nomex hood he was wearing. His helmet was strapped on but the force of it being knocked dislodged it from the top of his head. He was transported to the Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center where he remains today awaiting surgery.Firefighter Ivey was diagnosed with 3rd degree burns to his right side forward temporal area and to his right side scalp area approximately 3 inches above his right ear. Both burn areas were approximately 1 ¼ - 2” in diameter; about the size of a half-dollar coin. He will be undergoing his first surgery tomorrow at the Burn Center where Doctors will be debriding the burns on his head and scalp and then most likely will proceed to work on the burn near his temporal lobe with a grafting procedure. He will ultimately need some cosmetic surgery as well after the healing process begins.Bowie Volunteer Chief Lee Havens stated that Patrick is in good spirits and is in the constant company of fellow Bowie Firefighters. He was visited by PG County Fire Chief Eugene A. Jones over the weekend and Acting Lt. Col. (Deputy Chief) Steve Hess .The bulk of the fire was knocked down in about 45 minutes by 40 firefighters with the fire being completely extinguished about 60 minutes later. The fire appears to have started on a rear deck and extended up the rear wall and into the second floor and attic. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire loss is estimated at $290,000. The Fire/EMS Department assisted the six displaced occupants, 3 adults and 3 children, with temporary shelter. Our thanks to TSL member, PG County Fire/EMS PIO Mark E. Brady for these details....